Eric Olusesan/Port Harcourt
About hundred hoodlums suspected to be Cultists, yesterday Friday, April14, mobilized and set free arrested drug kingpin by Operatives of Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Port Harcourt.
The incident happened around Odunze street axis of Ikwerre road in Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to sources in the area, “on Friday evening (April 14, 2023) as suspected cultists numbering over one hundred attacked men said to be National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and reportedly freed an arrested drug dealer popularly Known as ’50’.”
It was learnt three of the NDLEA officials disguised as undercover agents dressed in mufti, entered the Odunze which is a den of (cultism) activities at Mile 3 Diobu, also notorious for illicit drug trafficking, with the prime target to pickup kingpin alias “50”.
The source further revealed few minutes after the NDLEA officials apprehended the drug dealer popularly Known as “50” and were dragging the suspect to a waiting patrol van stationed at Ikwerre road by Iheoma street, Mile 3, Diobu, suspected Deygbam cultists numbering over one hundred mobilized to the scene.
Armed with dangerous weapons, like bottles, stones and guns started attacking the officials of NDLEA some of who sustained injuries.
The NDLEA officials fired some shots into the air, to scare off the hoodlums, but the rampaging cultists were not deterred as they eventually aided the escape of their ally alias ’50’ before the NDLEA patrol van arrive the scene.
Eyewitnesses also stated that the incident caused pandemonium and heavy traffic around the Ikwerre road axis making passersby to scamper for safety.
It was further learnt that in the confusing panicky atmosphere, the hoodlums went on rampage robbing pedestrians and motorists. They succeeded in fleeing with their ally, alias “50” on sighting Police patrol vans racing to the scene.
At time of filing this report Mr Emmanuel Ogbumgbada, head of Public Affairs Officer, Media and Advocacy unit of NDLEA in Rivers State has not officially reacted to the incident.
However, Police patrol vans are seen patrolling the area .